Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (AKA 2008)

The year will be over in just under two hours, and since I'm way tired and don't feel like going out, I'm lying on the couch in my basement watching Veronica Mars on DVD and thinking about new years resolutions. Not the gonna-eat-better-lose-a-thousand-pounds variety, however (NOT that there's anything wrong with that). I'm thinking a little more in the fashion realm, for the most part. And obvs you wanna hear all about it!

I Resolve To:

1. Be More Adventurous. I don't mean just in the way I dress, though that is a big part of it, but also in the way that I act. I tend to be somewhat of a recluse (read: total hermit) and I think it's time to do something about that!

2. Take Outfit Pictures Every Day. This will be made far easier if I am, in fact, allowed to take the family tripod back to school like my mother implied I would when I said I wanted a tripod for Christmas. Even if I don't end up posting all of them (which I probs won't), I think it would be interesting just to have a visual log of my style and how it develops.

3. Be A Better Blogger! Obvs this is very important, since I am currently a totally suck-ass blogger. I really want to get to the point where a day without blogging is like a day without...um, cheese? I don't know. You get the idea.

4. Only Buy Clothes/Shoes I Will Actually Wear. I don't do this as often as I used to, but it's still a bit of an issue, especially with shoes. I think my main problem is buying things for the person I want to be, rather than the person I am. OR I buy shoes with 5" heels and no platform that kill my feet after about twelve seconds. You know how that is.

5. Knit/Crochet More. And not just from patterns! My real goal here is to get good enough to do something at least somewhat innovative, and everyone knows that practice makes perfect! (Or, as Michelle Duggar says, "Practice makes progress") Also of note here is that I'm not just talking scarves, and I'm not just going to use super-chunky weight yarn. I recently tried doing lace and I really like it!

6. Eat Better Lose A Thousand Pounds. DUH!!!

So happy New Year everybody (aka the like, three people that read this) and I hope 2009 treats you (and me) very well! 

In with the old, out with the new! Or...wait. Scratch that, reverse it. (I actually did type that before realizing it was wrong, and decided it was an excellent opportunity for a Willy Wonka/Ultimate-love Gene Wilder reference).

Classes Are Over, So...

I (obviously) have neglected posting lately, especially when it comes to actual outfit posts. But that is only because I have been a busy busy bee lately. Some of that is school, as I've had quite a few end of term projects to do lately, but a lot of it is also Christmas preparations and the like. I find my family is mostly rather hard to buy for but I have actually managed to finish up (basically) already! I've also been watching christmas movies pretty much every night with my roommates, like last night we watched home alone 2, and tonight i think we're watching Polar Express in 3D!

This is my LAST DAY OF CLASSES outfit, though actually I only had one class and it ended up being cut short, since my teacher had an emergency and had to leave right away. I pretty much based the outfit around my necklace, which I knitted over the weekend. I also wore my brown boots, but it would be too much work to get them into the picture.
This is a close up of the necklace I made. It's just one big cable (like you might see on sweaters) and looks like a braid. It is important to note, however, that it is one piece, not three actually braided together. I really really like it.

In regards to knitting, I've been doing quite a lot of it lately. In the last few weeks, I've made that necklace, a sweater (though it isn't assembled yet), as well as several very fantastic scarves. I'll likely post pictures of my handiwork after the holidays, as some of the scarves I've made/am making are gifts, and I don't want to give the surprise away!

I just have to say...

I think I would automatically fall in love with any boy wearing this jacket. Well, if he could pull it off. You know what I mean.

I don't deserve you, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Hi there. Hiiii. Please be mine? 

These shoes are disgustingly good. It looks like they cut the shoe in half or something. I am a huge Camper fan now (even though I used to hate them), especially when it comes to the "twins" collection. I love the idea of shoes being a pair without being identical, or completely symmetrical. Also I just love the shoes in general. The flat version (below) is also pretty fabulous, but I'm trying to incorporate a lot more every-day wear heels into my shoe wardrobe.

$225 and $200, respectively. At Gravity Pope.

Wish List #2: Oh make me over

Dainty Doll by Nicola Roberts

Apparently Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud (defs a guilty pleasure of mine), who just happens to be a super-pale ginge, got really sick of never being able to find make-up pale enough for her skin. I've run into the same problem myself - for most brands, the lightest shade they make is still slightly darker than my skin. But Nicola did something about it, creating Dainty Doll, a line especially for us pale folks! Obviously I am very excited about this. The only issue is that the only place I can find it is online at Asos, and it's a littly pricy. 

Wishes: Foundation in Ivory, Concealer in Fair and Eyeshadow & Base in Apricot.

M.A.C.

1. M.A.C. Lipstick: I'm really digging lipstick right now, and I'm beyond pleased with the M.A.C. one I already have, so it only makes sense to add to the collection. The colours I like best are: Ravishing, Red, Modesty, Plumful, Moroccan, Woo, Chaud, Lady Danger, Impassioned, Spice It Up! and Crosswires. 

2. Dazzle Lash (black): I am in desperate need of new mascara, as the Covergirl one I'm currently using is mad clumpy. Dazzle Lash claims to "instantly produce a starburst dazzle effect", which sounds mighty intriguing. 

3. Studio Tech or Studio Fix Powder+Foundation (shade NW15): I think this is pretty basic, I've heard M.A.C. foundation comes in super-light shades for ghosts like me, and I need something with a little more coverage than what I'm using right now.

4. Select Cover-up (NW15): Cover-up! Woo-hoo! I think everyone knows what this is for.

Sephora

1. Kat Von D Everything: Yes, I really like Kat Von D, whatcha gonna do about it? I currently only have one lipstick from her line for Sephora, but I pretty much adore every single thing in the collection. More specifically:

• Kat Eye Brush Set: 5 pretty brushes, just for my eyelids! I think I have two whole eye brushes right now, and their uses are extremely limited.
• Autograph Eyeliner (Puro Amor): liquid liner, please! My friend told me this is one of the best liners she's used, and sometimes me cream liner just isn't what I'm looking for.
• Painted Love Lipstick (Hellbent): we've already been over my lipstick love, but I didn't tell you that red is my favorite. Every girl obviously needs a million shades of red lipstick to suit every mood!
• True Romance Eyeshadow Palette (Beethoven): So pretty! I like eyeshadow a lot, but I generally have issues putting different colours together without looking like a weirdo, and I really only have super-bright shades right now. 

2. NARS Lipstick (Casablanca): I LOVE LIPSTICK. OK? OK.

3. NARS Blush (Orgasm): Orgasm is, most likely, the best blush shade ever invented. It's fabulously peachy, with little gold flecks. I have lip gloss in this shade, and it's just gorgeous, so of course I want my cheeks to be equally rosy!

4. Vincent Longo Waterproof Eyeliner (Bianchino): A little while ago I decided that white liquid liner was the best idea ever, and this is the only one I could find. I think it would look totally tubular. 

5. Armani Code Pour Femme Elixer: Armani Code is one of the most delicious smelling perfumes, and I've wanted it for ages. Elixer is a more potent version of the original, but mostly I just like the atomizer on the bottle.

6. Benefit Lipscription: My lips get dry, flaky, and icky in the winter, and this set has an exfoliater and a balm to make it all better. I've loved every Benefit product I've ever tried, so I feel good about this working as well as it says it does.

Pounce like a kitten

For real, I DON'T EVEN CARE that this is supposed to be lingerie, or that it's $350. I don't care if I would seem like a raging ho for wearing this out of the house. If this somehow came in to my possession, I would wear it all the time, most likely with just tights, no matter how ridiculous I might look. The point is that none of that matters, because it is the most fabulous thing that I have ever seen in my entire life, and I NEED it desperately. I can feel deep in my heart that we were meant to be together. I don't think it would hurt in my quest to seduce The Boy, either.

Iona bodysuit, Agent Provacateur.

NO NO NO!

I was just minding my own business, doing lazy sunday kind of things after an especially bonkerz night last night, when i felt a soft breeze on my right elbow. I looked down to find...

A HUGE hole in my favorite flannel ever! NO! It isn't even on the seam, so probs it will look really dumb when I attempt to fix it, but I don't care. This flannel is irreplaceable! It takes years of loving wear and (not) care to achieve this level of softness (in this case, by my father). I can't live without it. It's my favorite lazy day cozy times shirt. Words cannot express the sadness I feel.

Luuuurve

Ever since my mom got rid of our working typewriter, I've wanted another one. I can't recall I time I haven't been enamored with typewriters. I love everything about them, and have recently been thinking about how lovely it would be to have one in my life again. I was browsing them on ebay and found a few fab ones, but I'm sure it would be far cheaper to search locally and save on the shipping. i also stumbled across these (fully refurbished and functioning) beauties, but at over $500 apiece, they are far out of my price range. For anyone unsure of what to get me for christmas, this would be a most excellent idea. If not, I'll just have to find one for myself!

Wish List #1: Shoes

Christmas is a-coming! I just realized that there is only one month left until the terribly festive occasion, and here I am, with only one gift bought. I'm terrible at christmas shopping, I never know what to get anyone unless they give me a list (which no one does, obvs) and it certainly doesn't help matters that I'm broke. I do, however, know of a vast number of things that I would love to see under that tree come Christmas morning, while I'm sipping my champagne and orange juice. So, of course I'm starting with shoes, since I love them so much and certainly can't afford to buy most of these for myself, at least unless I don't want to eat for a month.

1. Vic Matie, $365 at Gravity Pope. 

Well, hello there, dream shoes. As soon as I saw these, I realized that they're exactly what I've been looking for my whole life. Shiny but not too shiny (no worries about getting the annoying crinkly effect that happens on super-patent leather), just the right amount of pointy, with the fab little metal detail at the heel. AND they're oxfords, which I obvs have a major thing for.

I think I'm in love.
2. Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $695 at Gravity Pope.

I have been horribly, terribly in love with these boots for well over a year now. About six months ago they were actually on sale, but still far out of my price range. They remind me of boots of my mom's that I have always loved, but never gotten to wear, only these are better. The leather is disgustingly buttery and soft, I die every time I touch them.

3. Chloe, $375 at YOOX. 

Yes, I do realize that these are horrible and probs the ugliest shoes ever invented, but I can't get them out of my head. They're haunting me and I really just don't understand it. I daydream in class about what I would wear them with and how amazing I would look. If I had these shoes, I'm pretty sure I would be the fiercest female in town.

4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $289.99 at Gravity Pope.

These are on sale! $130.01 off! These are the ultimate in sexy, feminine footwear. The shape is absolutely stunning, and I can only imagine how amazing they would look on my beautiful feet. Personally, I think toe cleavage is awesome, and I can already tell that these lovely ladies would show it off beautifully. They're also extremely classic, and I can see myself at 80 tottering around the nursing home in these, unable to let go of my youth.
5. Fluevog, $169.99 at Gravity Pope.

I've been lusting after these bad boys for going on six months now. I was this close to buying these instead of my Campers, but they were $235 then, and now they're on sale! I don't really have any brightly coloured flats, and am therefore in desperate need of some, and these are just the ticket. I absolutely adore perforated leather and have an (obvious) oxford addiction. These belong in my shoe wheel, without a doubt.

6. Melissa, $99 at Gravity Pope. 

You guessed right, these are made of plastic, and it's RECYCLED! Woo! Apparently the plastic is this special kind that's amazingly comfortable and conforms to your foot blah blah blah, but I don't care about all that. I love them because they look like something a retro flight attendant from the future would wear while working on a private jet, most likely with a Judy Jetson-style outfit. And white tights. 

7. YMC, $345 at Gravity Pope.

Honestly, I don't think these shoes need much of an explanation. They are effortlessly chic in every sense. Simple and classic, they could go anywhere, with anything, always.
8. Paul Smith, $329.99 at Gravity Pope.

These are just too cute for words. Worn with a little mod dress (like the wool one I already own) one would look like they had time travelled here, straight from the sixties, where their style icon was twiggy, they hung out all day smoking cigarettes while sitting on brick walls in London with their equally mod friends, and went out dancing every night.
9. Candela, $114.99(USD) at Urban Outfitters. 

Oxfords with tassel-ey bits and a perforated pattern. 'Nuff said.
10. United Nude, $150(USD).

You may be thinking, 'What's with Karen and her love of hideous shoes?' The answer is that I do not know. I used to despise wedges, and there are three pairs on this list alone, two of which are made of plastic. I have no idea what's happening to me, but that's beside the point. These shoes don't even have one! HAHAHA! (sorry) Mostly I just think these are totally adorable, and I love the white strap. I don't really know what else to say.

11. United Nude, $245(USD).

I LOVE ANKLE BOOTS. The overall shape of these is nothing short of fabulous, and I love the graduated stripes and the way the upper is composed of one strip that folds over itself in the front. I'm also a big fan of the heel height, at 2 3/4" high, they're far more manageable for extended wear than most of the heels I own, so I might even be able to wear them all day at school without having to change before walking home. Mostly, though, I just think they're frickin' cool.

Mad Mania

OKAY so I realize I am a little late on the uptake here, but I am pretty much obsessed with Mad Men, as is the rest of the world, apparently. When I was checking a couple weeks ago to see if the new GG episode was up on the CTV website (it wasn't) I happened to notice that they had both full seasons of Mad Men up. I've been told  by about a million different people that it's amazing, so I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did.

Not only is is well written and well acted, but the costumes are fabulous. I also really like how they actually tried to stay true to the time period, showing everyone smoking constantly, driving drunk, and being horribly misogynistic. That may sound terrible, but I find it very refreshing. I get so angry when people try to idealize a time that everyone knows was less than ideal, showing the late 50s/early 60s without those things would be akin to showing the 00's without crazed environmentalists and everyone constantly living in fear of "terrorists". 

On a lighter note, I am obvs in love with Don Draper. Really, how could you not be? Sure, he's a cheater and an asshole, but he's gorgeous and a man, in the true sense of the word. He's intelligent, smooth, and looks great in a suit. I'm pretty sure he's every girl's dream man, whether they want to admit it or not.

The obvious style icon of the show is Joan Holloway, as seen here. And rightfully so; she is disgustingly sexy and I want to be her SO BAD. She has a beyond enviable hourglass figure, and she knows how to dress it. She inspires me to wear more dresses and wiggle my hips, as well as make me wish they were bigger (not a first, fyi). So, I pretty much have the biggest girl crush ever on her-she's practically perfect.

Harry Crane here gets a shout out because he is wearing a bow tie. I mean really, a frickin' bow tie. That's pretty awesome. The fact that it's printed only makes it better. More guys should rock that, it's cute. Also, everyone should know that I'm a total sucker for a nerdy guy in glasses. I guess I have a pretty major TV crush on him. 

Dear Compliments,

My room is far too messy at the mo for me to take pictures of myself, despite my outfits being really awesome lately. SO instead of an outfit post, I will tell you about compliments I have received recently.

1. My classmate said she loved my shoes.

2. My classmate/friend said she loved my style and wished she could pull it off.

3. One of my teachers said she was very jealous of my height AND that I had legs that went on for days.

4. I have the best leggings ever.

P.S. Lady Gaga pictures to come...eventually...maybe...

What's this, a real post? NO WAY!

A couple weeks ago I bought some really fancy new lipstick for my birthday (actually I just really wanted it). If you are interested (most likely you are not) it's Kat Von D. for Sephora in underage red. And, for the record, I don't care if you think that's lame, because I love it.

Anyhow, the point is that it inspired me to dress up like a pin-up girl last saturday night. It may have turned out a little more housewife-y, but I don't care. I look hot so whatevs.

This is how it happened: Kirsten and her boyfriend and I were sitting on the couch watching TV or a movie, who cares. And all of a sudden I said "I want to dress up like a pin-up girl tonight." and Kirsten said "Me too!" so I said "Let's do it!" and we did. (those may not be exact quotes. So sue me!) I wore this lovely gem of a dress (it has pockets!) and lent Kirsten a dress that may actually have been more pin-uppy, but doesn't exactly fit me anymore. 
Kirsten just happened to have these lovely lovely fake flowers, so we bobby-pinned it up and stuck them in our hair, and it was liquid liner and red lipstick from there on out. Also notice how the hair flower matched the beautiful wall flowers. They are an exciting new addition to my non-stop action-packed life.
Seamed stockings! I've had these for probs about six months and only worn them once before this. What is wrong with my brain? They're hot! Obvs these are an integral part of the outfit, though I doubt anyone noticed without my yelling "LOOK! I'm wearing seamed stockings! SEE?" which I may have done. They are really real stockings, so I have to wear garters with them, which is fine by me. But you don't get to see a picture. No pictures of my upper thighs on the internets! Also the shoes are unimportant and unremarkable, which is why there is no pic. K?

Also, you may be wondering, if I took these pictures on Saturday, Why am I only posting them now, on Thursday morning? Well, here is why: on Saturday, after returning from our total non-adventure that consisted of NOT going to a bar, and instead going to RDD (mmm hot dogs and cherry coke) and then home, I was the opposite of sleepy, thanks to the red bull I had consumed mere hours before. So I checked to see if the new GG episode was online (spoiler alert: it was not) I saw that they had every episode of Mad Men on the CTV website. Everybody seems to be obsessed with it, and now SO AM I. It is so good and I am in love. I think I have three episodes left in the second season, and then I don't know what I will DO with myself! (Oh right, I will watch the Office. ALL OF IT.) The moral of this story: if you have not seen Mad Men, go do it NOW. I was going to link to it here but it's not working so never mind. Still go watch it though.

WHHHYYY???

H&M, how could you do this to me??? I love you, I give you my hard-earned money far more often than I should, I even go out of my way to visit you. And this is how you thank me. By bringing the COMME des GARCONS collection to only three Canadian locations, none of which are even remotely accessible to me. I got so excited looking at the previews on your website, anticipating the creative budgeting I would execute in order to maximize my purchases. When I checked the locations, however, my dreams were dashed into dust. Now I just don't know what to do.

Will I ever be able to trust you again? It's too soon to tell.

Flowers flowers flowers

I have a definite lust on for girly florals right now, especially ala Luella s/s 08. There's almost something subversive about wearing something so traditionally sweet and girly in a way that certainly doesn't feel particularly traditional or sweet. 

I would love to try some florals out in my own wardrobe, but I have extreme doubts about actually being able to pull it off without looking like a complete and utter fool. I know I have a floral skirt in a drawer somewhere that I've had since about grade 10 so I may give it a try in the privacy of my own (newly decorated/re-arranged!) bedroom. With the door locked.

 
I'll keep you updated...or not.

FREALS GUYS

I NEED THIS NECKLACE.

I need it so badly I don't even know what to do with myself.  I can't stop thinking about it. It's haunting me. I keep thinking about everything I could wear it with, and the extent to which it could add much-needed excitement and interest to an otherwise blah ensemble. I already know I would wear it all the time, considering how often I wear my camera necklace from the same site (read: a LOT). And really, it's not that expensive, it would defs come to under $40, including shipping from the UK and the US-Canadian exchange rate. If my mother didn't have to look at my credit card bill every month, I would gladly skimp on groceries for a little while to buy it. 

Perhaps this is the incentive I need to finally go out and get a job. But I still really really don't want to. Ugh.

You can check out the above necklace and a bunch of other awesome ones here. They're way lighter than they look, and kind of (really) look like tattoos from a distance. LOVE.

Oh Yeah

So today is my BIRTHDAY and HALLOWEEN. I'm 20 now, and so far I like it more than 19.

I'm dressing up as Velma Dinkley from Scooby Doo, and maybe someday you'll see pictures. 

Dear Sally Ann,

I had forgotten how much better you are than the VV. I don't know what comes over me sometimes! Thank you for having prices that are actually great on the things I want to buy. Such as:

These fabulous Ray-Ban shades from who knows how long ago. They are way excellent. And only $1.49! Hooray!

And these most excellent oxfords. I already have a bunch of oxfords, but I just can't resist a nice pair of shoes that (semi) fits me! And, apparently mystery price actually = $1. Does it get better than that?

As a matter of fact, it does get better! I also purchased  Pointer Sisters and Saturday Night Fever records for only $1 each.

Magazines.

I have a definite love/hate relationship with magazines. Love in that I get to look at pretty pictures and read interesting articles and they are (sometimes) cheaper than books. Hate in that, unless they are meant for babies (AKA anyone under the age of 15) I really can't afford anything in them, except maybe hair clips or socks. I also find that it's really hard to find a really good magazine that you will actually still like in the future. Sometimes I will love, love, love one issue, but when I buy it again I realize maybe it was just a fluke because now it sucks. Or I will fall in love with a magazine that is published quarterly, or worse, bi-annually. I currently have mad love for super-expensive magazines that I really shouldn't be buying, considering the state of my bank account.

Like this lovely gem of a mag, POP. It's ridiculously thick and full of amazing pictures and articles, but it cost me $20! And, of course, it's only published twice a year. Disappointing! I want it more often than that, even if my wallet doesn't.

I used to have a major hard-on for Nylon, but I feel like it has really been going downhill in the last year or two-ish. I'm not entirely sure if the problem lies with me or them, but it just doesn't hold my interest like it used to. When I first started reading it several years ago, I felt the writing was good and the fashion was (fairly) edgy. They also introduced me to a lot of bands I still like now. Recently, however, I feel like it's become obsessed with pseudo-celebs like Cory Kennedy that I really couldn't care less about. The writing has definitely gone downhill, along with the subject matter. I don't even bother reading half the articles anymore, whereas I used to read it cover-to-cover each month. 

You may be thinking, why do you still buy it? The answer is, I usually don't. I only did this month because my super-ultimate, always-and-forever girl love Zooey Deschanel is on the cover. Sigh.